Christmas time in New York is a magical thing. The city that never sleeps, gets even brighter with the massive tree in Rockefeller Center, the cheerful holiday windows and entire neighborhoods that deck their own halls with jaw dropping displays. From the time I was a small child, my family would go “hunting for Christmas spirit” every Christmas Season. To this day, I am amazed by the effort and heart that individuals and families put into creating displays to share with their communities. There was something magical about finding these wonderlands as a kid, and I can’t say the magic has faded one bit, well into adulthood. I now share this tradition with my daughter and hope to help as many families as possible enjoy find these very special places. I have long kept a running list of the best holiday displays in my neck of the woods, and have combined it with some of the top holiday events in our area, and beyond. I am always looking to add to it so please send any additional tips to robynpringtravel@yahoo.com. Your recommendations are very welcome. These are my top picks in Westchester, NYC, Fairfield and beyond.

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

Roy's Christmas Land: 50 Parsons Street, Harrison (bring a letter for Santa’s mailbox)

21 North Kensico Avenue, White Plains (don't forget to go to the backyard for hot chocolate)

Highview Ave., Port Chester

Westchester’s Winter Wonderland at Kensico Dam (tickets required)

58 Gedney Park Road, White Plains

155 Vaneck Drive, New Rochelle

1605 Pelham Parkway North, Bronx

75 Highview Terrace, Yonkers

50 Iroquois Road, Ossining

16 Luigi Road, Putnam Valley

Dickens' 'Christmas Carol' at the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow by master storyteller Johnathan Kruk (Sat and Sun in Dec)

Tarrytown Music Hall HolidayMarket: This event, on Dec 15th from 10am-4pm, will showcase over 45 artists & makers and is free to attend.

Roy's Christmas Land, Harrison

Highview Ave, Port Chester

North Kensico, White Plains

FAIRFIELD COUNTY

226 Roseville Terrace, Fairfield, CT 06824 (walk through)

68 Lewelyn Road, Stamford, CT 06902 (walk through)

75 Meadows End Road Milford, CT 06460

Sam Bridge Nursery in Greenwich (deer, rides and Santa)

Stew Leonards has an awe inspiring collection of trees at great prices. They also offer a host of holiday events that kids will love. On Dec 11th there is a Christmas Pretzel Stick workshop and a Christmas Tree Hunt with great prizes. Then on the 14th, you can sign up to have Breakfast with Santa (advance registration required).

Roseville Terrace, Fairfield

Lewelyn Rd, Stamford.

Lewelyn Rd. Stamford

MANHATTAN

In Manhattan Bergdorf's, Saks 5th Ave, Barney's and Macy's usually have the best windows. Don’t miss the light show projected on the exterior of Saks.

Macy's also has Santaland, which is spectacular. The journey to get to Santa, through a train and enchanted holiday forest is half the fun. The elves you encounter along interact so warmly with the children and when you get your time with Santa, its in a private room. These Santa’s are the real deal. Hot tip, go on a weeknight, preferably early in the season to avoid crowds. You can make reservations online as well.

Both the Union Square and Bryant Park Holiday Markets are excellent for holiday shopping. Grand Central also has select vendors, though smaller than previous years.

FAO Schwarz reopened last season in Rockerfeller Plaza. Big yay for little kids, and big kids at heart.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the tree at Rockefeller Center

Rolf’s German Restaurant

For ice skating, Wollman Rink in Central Park is my favorite. Rockefeller Center is timeless, but crowded. Bryant Park also has a nice rink as part of their holiday market.

The Nutcracker. Can’t get enough of this holiday classic? Both The New York City Ballet and ABT put on some of the most stunning performances you’ll ever find. Or for a more adult themed version check out Company XIV’s production of Nutcracker Rouge.

Saks 5th Avenue

Rockefeller Center

Bergdorf Goodman

THE OTHER BOROUGHS

Brooklyn

Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is the best of the best neighborhood for lights, the most outrageous displays are generally between 11th Avenue to 13th Avenue and from 83rd to 86th Street

Queens

Lynch Family Christmas House: 166th Street and 23rd Avenue, Whitestone.

185-07 80th Drive, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica. (Not lit for the 2019 season. Hopefully next year)

Little North Pole, Beach 143rd Street and Neponsit Avenue. Neponsit, Queens

Hello Panda Festival at Citi Field. This 2019 special event is the largest lantern festival in North America. There are several themed zones including dinosaurs, under the sea and an ice palace. Aside from the breathtaking display of lights, there is a light up playground, dino car rentals for little ones, a giant ball pit, and an international food and craft market. The selection of foods was a major draw for my family and it did not disappoint. Runs Dec 6th - Jan 26th.

The Bronx
In the Bronx, the Holiday Train Show at the NY Botanical Gardens is the big do not miss. Even in the winter, the gardens have plenty to see and do, but their train show is always a stunner.

The Bronx Zoo is bringing their holiday lights back this year, after a few years hiatus. There will be animal lanterns, a holiday train, roaming carolers, ice carving and more. Check it out from Nov 29th - Dec 31st and Jan 3rd - 5th

Staten Island

NYC Winter Lantern Festival: After a successful run last year, this lantern festival returns, transforming Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden into a world of light. There are live performances, interactive exhibits, ice skating and more. Runs Nov 20th - Jan 12th

Randall’s Island

Luminocity: Call this the year of the lantern festivals. This is a 16-acre immersive art experience with three theme parks: Winter Fantasy, Wild Adventure, and Sweet Dream. There are over 2 dozen giant light displays, a night market and themed nights with live performances, and opportunities to dress up as your fave cosplay characters. Runs Nov 23rd - Jan 5th.